A mix of marchers, performers and decorative floats will parade through town on Friday for the opening of Te Maeva Nui 2021 festival.

For the first time, Te Maeva Nui float parade will veer into the grounds of the Constitution Park, exit and continue through town to the turn at the ANZ bank and head back towards Avatiu.

The cultural performance nights have been reduced, 11 teams representing Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, Mangaia, Mitiaro, Palmerston, Pukapuka, Oire Nikao, Tupapa Maraerenga, Vaka Puiakura and Vaka Takitumu, will showcase an imene tuki, choir, action song and drum dance.

On Saturday July 31, people can visit the Punanga Nui Market from 8am and watch the international night at 7pm at the National Auditorium. The international night will feature seven ethnic groups, including the visiting Aotearoa cultural group Ngā Tūmanako’, made up of graduates of the Kura Kaupapa Maori attached to the Hoani Waititi marae in West Auckland.

The choir and imene tuki performances will start at 6.30pm on Sunday evening at the National Auditorium. On Monday, August 2, the BCI Trade Day will be held from 9am to 2pm and cultural dance performances that evening will start at 7pm. The BCI Trade Day will continue on Tuesday from 9am to 2pm and dance items will take place 7pm.

The Constitution Day on Wednesday, August 4 is a public holiday. The official ceremony will start at 10am at the National Auditorium.

Tickets are available from the stall outside the Bank of the Cook Islands – $5 for general admission (floor seating), $10 and $20 tickets are reserve seating (sides of auditorium).